206990 L/Cpl. Percy Cresswell British Army 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment from:Dunnington, Warwickshire (d.25th Sep 1915) Percy Cresswell was born 6 September, 1888, at Dunnington Salford, Warks, to parents, Lucy & Walter Cresswell. It is not known when Percy joined the Army, but he did enlist at Warwick, and because he had a three figure Army number, it seems likely that he was a pre-war regular. He appears in the Medal Roll of the India General Service Medal 1908, with Northwest Frontier Clasp, which shows he was serving with the 1st Battalion R.W.R., in India, and was in action in April & May 1908. The Medal Roll shows that the then, Private Cresswell served against the Mohmands and also in action at Matta.
After the Great War began, Percy, still with the 1st Battalion, is recorded in the Birmingham Daily Post, dated, 30th November 1914, as `Missing` then, in the same paper, dated 11th October 1915, he is recorded as `Rejoined`. Finally, now with the 2nd Battalion, again the same paper, dated 21st October 1915 he is reported `Killed`.
This was at the Battle of Loos. Percy was killed sometime between 6.30am, when the Battalion advanced, and Midnight, when they were in position in a support trench 400 yards west of the "Quarries". On the 1st September 1915, the Battalion Diary records a strength of 24 Officers and 936 Other Ranks . At Midnight on the 25th September, it records; Missing, 273 - Wounded, 171, and, Killed, 64. The Battalion could only muster (No figure,) Officer and 140 Men.
Like many, many other poor souls, Percy`s body was never recovered, but he is commemorated on Panel 22 - 25 at the Loos Memorial.
To All Who Gave Their Lives ~ R.I.P.
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